A tribute to my mother

I dedicate this to my mother who brought me up nicely with a vision on future. She lived up to a ripe age ninety four. Though she had little education she had lot of experience and worldly knowledge. For her she portrayed herself as a jackfruit. The jackfruit has a thorny appearance, but inside has delicious fruit.

She had four daughters and one son only. But she never showed any discrimination among her children. She had studied in Telugu medium up to 4th or 5th class only and got married when she was twelve. she had learned Tamil after her marriage.

She was like a big banyan tree of our family. She had eighteen grand children and twenty eight great grand children. Her grand children were professionals like doctors, chartered accountant, lawyer, IAS, bankers and gazetted officers and they all adored her. At any function you could see her surrounded by her grand children.

Almost all our relatives and neighbours admired her and sought her advice. Though she was born in 19th century, she was adaptable to 20th and 21st century culture. She was an expert cook, a dietician, fashion jewelry designer, a beautician and a quick leaner of modern gadgets. She was a connoisseur of Carnatic music and fine arts.

She was very pious and her hospitality drew a lot of relatives during the annual temple festival at Sriperumbudur and Kanchipuram where she spent the major part of her life. She had a generous heart and was willing to forgo her meals in order to feed a hungry person.

I was blessed to serve her during her last days. Even on the day of her death she felt that her children should have their meals and should not starve because of her death. She left this world on 8th March 1998 around 10.30 in the morning. I can still visuvalise the happenings of that morning. She was confined to bed only for the last 48 hours.

My sister, my cousin and his wife were with me on that day. It was Telugu New Year day and we used to celebrate it as my mother hailed from Tirupathi. Though we all knew her end was fast approaching I made payasam and other festival food as my cousin was also from Kalahasthi and used to celebrate Yughadi. I finished the cooking fast and my mother called me around 8 O' clock and told me to have our lunch. I told her it was too early and she told that her body was becoming numb from the foot slowly and she would not last long. I told her in that case I wanted her to eat somthing. Reluctantly she told me to bring rice with rasam. I mixed and brought it and gave her just four spoonful and then she said that was enough.I did not want to force her. . I also gave her thulasi thirtham. While I was feeding her I told my sister to serve lunch to others. Then we two sisters tried to eat in a bowl, but could not swallow even two mouthful. In the mean while my hubby was chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam at her bedside.

We returned to mother’s bed side and saw her life ebbing out. My hubby chanted the karna manthram in her right ear.

Her end came at 10.31 a.m. She had a peaceful death, but my only regret was that my brother was not with us. He had gone to US with his wife to be with his daughter as she was expecting her first child.

Thus the banyan tree that spread its vizuthukal and was giving solace and comfort to relatives and friends had been obliterated, but we believe that her blessings would be always with us.

 

Dear Ramya,
Thanks for dropping in and posting your first FB on the eve of Mothers Day! Almost all mothers and grandmothers have similar qualities. Glad to know that your grandmother had similar qualities like my mother. You are blessed to have a daughter who does things identical to your grandmother.
My blessings to you and your child,
With love,
PS

 

Dear Sowmya,
Thanks for your sweet comments.
True, our elders had strong will power and they were guiding the family members in the right path. Those who heeded to their advice benefited in life.
Love,
PS

 

Dear Viji,
My mother also was an expert in making crisp, tasty and beautiful murukku. People used to come to our house to enjoy her lip smacking dishes.
My mother was keenly interested to choose a suitable match for her grand children. She was a gem and all her grand children loved her dearly.
You were really blessed to attend to your grandmother while she was ailing. Elders blessings are worth than any material things and we are immensely benefited.
My DH also used to go to the houses of friends and relatives when a death occurred and used to help them in whatever way he could. These kind of good deeds is very commendable.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wish you a robust health, a happy and contented life,
With love,
PS